“It was always about being first, about winning. There were no prizes for second place. My mother and father said, 'Do whatever you want, as long as you're the best at it.'”

British former professional boxer

David Haye is a British former professional boxer, active from 2002 to 2018. He is known for winning major titles in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, and for being the first British boxer to reach the final of the World Championships as an amateur. Haye held the European cruiserweight title from 2005 to 2007, then the unified and Ring magazine cruiserweight championship from 2007 to 2008. He later won the WBA heavyweight title from 2009 to 2011. As an amateur, he earned a silver medal at the 2001 World Championships.